We The Women will open doors for Mumbai's unfettered expression

We The Women - A unique, one-day participatory festival, created and curated by Barkha Dutt for Facebook & UN Women, will be kicking off its second edition in Mumbai on 25th November 2018 at Mehboob Studio, Bandra.

Aptly coined on the theme #openingdoors and #breakingbarriers, the star-studded stage will bring together diverse viewpoints, challenges and concerns. Unlike other conferences, We The Women is a community that will connect women and men from a range of professions, spanning from cinema, politics and sports to literature and law, all under one roof.

Poonam Mahajan (Member of Parliament), Khushbu Sundar (All India Congress Committee spokesperson and star campaigner), Sangeeta Thakur (Sarpanch) will talk to Faye D' Souza to discuss if politics is still a Boys' Club? Living legend Waheeda Rehman will talk to Rajeev Masand on her extraordinary journey and the place of women in the Industry; Then and Now. Get motivated by Indian Wrestler, Geeta Phogat in conversation with Ayaz Memon on how she has literally wrestled with sexism.

For the first time ever, Indian Actor, Farhan Akhtar, Milind Deora, Cyrus Broacha & Mahesh Bhupathi will share their views on What #MeToo means for Indian men, and Film Director & Producer, Karan Johar will speak on "The Myth of Masculinity".

Additionally, the second edition of We The Women will be a highlight for Dhanya Ravi's extraordinary battle against genetic deformity. An all-women Dalit Band from Bihar will speak about finding empowerment through Music. Ankhi Das (Facebook), Farzana Haque (TCS), Yamini Atmavilas (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Shveta Verma (PwC) will speak to Tamanna Inamdar of Bloomberg Quint about whether "Women Leaders are Different from Men". And Gul Panag will interview Women Pilots, as India breaks the global record for the highest percentage of female pilots in the world.

Many extraordinary and unusual stories will be shared on the #WeTheWomen Stage, including that of Kalpana Saroj, a Dalit child bride who is today a self-made multimillionaire and that of Priya Shanmuga who created a business worth million, using Whatsapp.

Award-Winning Journalist Barkha Dutt said, "Reflecting on larger global and national conversations, We The Women is a multi-city platform that aims to connect exemplary men and women so that we can talk, engage, empathise and also have fun while doing so. The festival promises great conversation, food, art, music and a flea market. We see ourselves as your festival".

The food and flea market will have popular and affordable brands on board, including the iconic Swati snacks and delicious Le 15, also examples of extremely successful women-led enterprises. The market will also have Barcelona cafe, and Epigamia will introduce their new range of products at our venue.

The flea market includes Bhuira Jams, Under The Mango Tree, Fab Bella and Arwa Romani. I Was A Sari, a cool concept that takes old Indian sarees and recycles them into funky accessories, will also be participating.

Lastly, the courtyard area with the food and flea will be curated with interesting art installations by Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology and Sharper Design Studio.